City Comparison
Oxford vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oxford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oxford
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Oxford's average rent is
21% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Oxford | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,450 | -21% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $400 | -55% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,050 | $2,570 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grants Pass delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oxford is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Oxford | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,545 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $40,500 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oxford runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oxford comes out ahead with 211 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oxford sees 4.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oxford | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 59.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Oxford.
Oxford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oxford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oxford | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Oxford.
From a growth perspective, Oxford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Oxford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oxford | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,250 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 49.7 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oxford
Advantages
High homeownership rate with over 80% of households owning their home or holding it in a family trust per Stats NZ
Exceptional community safety with crime rates significantly below national urban averages
Proximity to the Oxford Forest Conservation Area offering world-class hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor recreation
Significantly lower housing and living costs compared to major New Zealand urban centers like Auckland and Wellington
Award-winning rural village atmosphere with strong local community engagement and historic character
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the town and rural setting
Limited local employment diversity, requiring many residents to commute toward Rangiora or Christchurch
Smaller rental housing inventory, making it challenging to secure lease properties on short notice
Limited local high-end retail, entertainment options, and specialized healthcare facilities within walking distance
Colder winter weather lows requiring adequate home heating solutions
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Oxford
#29Canterbury, New Zealand
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
211/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
78
Business
62
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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